Dayton, OH – Known for having the ability to work across political boundaries to address regional issues was just one of the reasons why longtime public servant and Troy Area Chamber of Commerce representative, Arthur D. Haddad, was selected as the recipient of the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission’s (MVRPC’s) Regional Steward Award.  Haddad received the award on Thursday, April 12, 2018, at MVRPC’s Annual Spring Dinner which was held at the Marriott ~ University of Dayton.

In addition, in recognition of his 50+ years of service to the Miami Valley Region, the award was formally renamed the Arthur D. Haddad Regional Steward Award.  “Art Haddad was the first recipient of the award when it was established in 2003, so we thought it was fitting to mark the fifteenth anniversary of this award by naming it after him,” explained MVRPC’s Executive Director, Brian O. Martin, AICP.

MVRPC’s Chairperson and Miami County Commissioner, John “Bud” O’Brien, along with Martin, presided over the event, which was attended by 325 guests from across the Region.

The coveted award recognizes:

• Someone with an innovative spirit to solving regional challenges;
• Someone who builds broad support toward a shared regional vision; and
• Someone who is a regional steward promoting economic, social and environmental progress in the Miami Valley.

Chairperson O’Brien explained, “I’ve known Art Haddad for many years and I’ve never met a more dedicated public servant. He has consistently provided leadership, vision, knowledge, and unwavering support for the betterment of the Miami Valley Region. I consider him a wise mentor and a true friend.”

Haddad was instrumental in the founding and creation of the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission itself in 1964. He played an active role with MVRPC while he held a variety of appointed and elected positions.  These included 4 years as the Chief Deputy to the Miami County Engineer, 18 years as the Miami County Engineer, an appointment as Assistant Director of the Ohio Department of Transportation, 12 years as the City of Troy’s Public Service and Safety Director, and 8 years as a Miami County Commissioner until his term ended in 2000.  He currently sits on MVRPC’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee as the Troy Area Chamber of Commerce representative.

Haddad also served as an officer for many state-wide organizations over the years, including the County Commissioners Association, The County Engineers Association, and the Ohio Council of County Officials.  On a national level, he served as an officer for the National Association of County Engineers and is a life member of the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA).

Established in 1964, the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission promotes collaboration among communities, stakeholders, and residents to advance regional priorities.  MVRPC is a forum and resource where the Board of Directors identifies priorities, develops public policy and collaborative strategies to improve quality of life throughout the Miami Valley Region.  MVRPC performs various regional planning activities, including air quality, water quality, transportation, land use, research and GIS.  As the designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), MVRPC is responsible for transportation planning in Greene, Miami and Montgomery Counties and parts of northern Warren County. MVRPC's areawide water quality planning designation encompasses five (5) counties: Darke, Preble plus the three MPO counties. The Annual Spring Dinner is a way to express our continued thanks to the elected officials who devote countless hours to the betterment and unity of the Miami Valley Region.

The event was sponsored by: American Structurepoint, Arcadis, Barge Design Group, Burgess & Niple,  Commuter Advertising, Crawford, Murphy & Tilly, CT Consultants, DH Productions, Dayton Daily News / Dayton.com, Dayton Dragons, Dayton Metro Library, DLZ Ohio, Inc., Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority, HDR, Inc., Heidelberg Distributing Company / Allied Wine, Jacobs, Inc., Kettering Health Network, Key Ads, Inc., LJB, Inc., Marriott ~ University of Dayton, Mannik & Smith Group, Miami Valley Lighting, ProForma Vision Marketing, Progressive Printers, Inc., Rideshare by Enterprise, Sinclair Broadcasting Group, Spectrum Reach, TEC, Inc., University of Dayton, Vectren, and Woolpert. 

For more information about the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission, visit www.mvrpc.org, or call 937.223.6323.

Photo (L to R):  Brian O. Martin, Arthur Haddad, John “Bud” O’Brien